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CDO safety drills to highlight disaster month observance
by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob
Cagayan de Oro City (29 June 2005) -- THE conduct of disaster preparedness workshops and safety drills by the different disaster coordinating councils (DCCs) in Region 10 will be among the highlights during the observance of the National Disaster Consciousness Month in July, this year.

“These activities are focused on the advocacy about disaster preparedness and its mitigating measures to ensure readiness of the local folk against any eventuality that may happen anytime,” Salvador Estudillo, Regional Director of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Region 10 said.

“They are also aimed at answering the basic question of “Safe Ka Ba? (Are You Safe),” this year’s theme of the observance,” Estudillo also said.

The question is directed to the public to determine how safe they are from TYPHOONS that cause flooding and landslides, EARTHQUAKES that cause buildings, homes and other structures to collapse, VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS that cause ashfalls, pyroclastics, lahar and lava flows, and TSUNAMIS that cause widespread destruction of coastal areas.

As scheduled, the month-long observance starts with the hanging of the “Safe Ka Ba?” Streamers from July 1-3 to heighten public awareness and greater understanding of hazards and specific vulnerabilities, while the simultaneous launching of the observance in all towns and cities of the region has been set on July 4.

Particularly for the Northern Mindanao regional offices, the activities will include radio/TV guestings by officials from OCD, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, PHIVOLCS, PAGASA and the Philippine Information Agency to talk about the National Disaster Preparedness Program and the evaluation of nominees for the 2005 Regional Gawad Kalasag Search for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance .

The safety drills to be conducted by the different provincial, city and municipal DCCs, Estudillo said, will include the incidence of bomb threat, fire and earthquake, while the trainings and seminars will include those on Disaster Management, Incident Command System, Contingency Planning Formulation and Barangay-based Disaster Preparedness and Basic Life Support.

Other activities of the DCCs are tree planting and clean-up drive in dumping areas, creeks and coastal areas.

Awarding ceremonies for winners in this year’s Regional Gawad KALASAG Awards will be done during the culmination program on July 31, Estudillo said.

Meanwhile, Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza announced the formation of a committee on rescue and relief operations aimed at aiding the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) in the rescue and relief operations during emergency cases.

On the other hand, in a bid to mitigate loss of lives and damage to property during severe weather conditions, the PAGASA is reminding the public to heed storm warning signals issued before and during the onslaught of storms or typhoons. (PIA-10)

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